’Round Town June 27, 2018

On our sick list is John Henry, who underwent a liver transplant has been out and about in his temporary Louisiana home. Although he had to tough out a six-day visit back in the hospital recently, he is on the mend again and hoping to see the bright lights of Midway within a week or two.

•Gaby Tobias, the 14-year-old daughter of Pat Tobias who was recently diagnosed with cancer, is presently at Texas Children’s Hospital undergoing treatment. Drop your encouragement to her at P.O. Box 402, Madisonville, TX 77864 and family will get those cards to her. A fundraiser is planned for August and well share more with you about that later.

•It’s been a week of losses in our community. Please note that several funerals are on Wednesday but at different times.

First, Leisa Dawn Forrest, Midway, passed away Thursday, June 21. She had been in and out of the hospital for the past month battling health issues.

Leisa, 59, had spent most of her career as Program Administrator for TDJC. She is preceded in death by her dad, Billy Bob Forrest. Leisa is survived by her mother, Joyce Wakefield Forrest of Midway as well as two daughters, Jordan and her husband Justin Dartez and Halli and her husband Eric Falke. She is also survived by five grandchildren, three siblings and their families. A memorial graveside service will be held today at the Forrest Cemetery.

•Early last Saturday morning, June 23, Gayle Barrett, who had battle a series of illnesses this past year, passed away peacefully at CHI Madison-St Joseph Rehab. Gayle, 82, was an active and vibrant person in our community, both in her church and local activities.

She is survived by her husband Buddy, two daughters, Tammy and husband Jimmy Hoke, and Tina Barrett and two sons William and wife Angela, and Basye and wife Laura. She is also survived by three grandchildren, two sisters and her lifelong friend and helper Mrs. Ruby Merchant.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church. The family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorials be sent to First United Methodist Church. That address is 102 S. McIver St., Madisonville, TX 77864.

•Condolences to the family of Dave Cole, 44, who passed away last Monday, June 25, following a lengthy battle with cancer. Dave, the son of Helen Cole and Arnold Cole, grew up in Madisonville and worked for the Texas Department of Transportation.

He and his wife Stephanie, who wed in 2012, reared three exceptional children — sons Cody Cole and Tyler Martin and daughter, Hannah Henry (Evan). In addition to his parents and family Dave is also survived by his brother Stephen and wife Katherine of Normangee. Services will be held today at First Baptist Church at 2 p.m.

•Condolences to the family of Richard Grall, 85, who passed away Sunday, June 24. Services for Grall, who served his country as a U.S. Marine during the Korean War, will be Thursday, June 28, at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Madisonville. He is survived by two sons, Rick and wife Missy and Doug and wife Tami, and two daughters, Kathy and husband Vince Lusco and Bink and husband Ricky Driskell, as well as 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

•Have you noticed the board in front of the Parrack home? Mary Martha Parrack, owner of Under the Apple Tree florist, began a new trend, recently honoring women of Madisonville, “the wonderful women in town that do lots of little things that make me smile and never get honored,” explained Parrack.

Her first choice? Jane Day Reynolds, whom she described as full of Southern charm and grace, was the lady featured for the past two weeks. This week it is JoAnn Jones. The Parrack address is 706 E. Main St. You might want to slow down and read.

•Speaking of reading, I’m reading and thoroughly enjoying Sallie Reid’s book "The Color of Joy." It’s a beautiful book both in pictures of her paintings and in the thoughts and history she shared in its pages. I’ll share more when I finish.

•On the birthday list this week, happy birthday to Linda Hunter and Patti Rowley, whose birthday is June 29. Saundra Rowland also shares June 29 for her birthday. Saundra’s address is 17170 OSR Midway, TX 75852.

Linda Hunter celebrates her birthday June 28, while Reed Singletary and Lacey Cannon do the same June 30.Winding out this week’s birthday list and kicking off the month of July is Courtney Cain with her birthday July 1.

•And finally, next Wednesday, July 4, we will celebrate America’s Independence. Two synonyms for independence are liberty and freedom. Enough reasons to fly the red white and blue. Have a great July 4th!